The Adviser Talk

• Nick and our Broken Energy Market

  A "state-protected oligopoly" dominated by four major generator-retailers?In this episode, Nick Stewart, CEO and Tim Ewen, Risk Insurance Manager, delve into the complexities of New Zealand's electricity market, covering high energy prices, their impact on manufacturing and employment, and the historical context of policy failures. Explore the government's conflict of interest due to its shareholding in major energy companies, the limitations imposed by the single Installation Control Point (ICP) rule, and the benefits of distributed energy solutions.Have you noticed the parallels between New Zealand’s energy market and the grocery sector? You’re not alone - tune in to gain insights into the challenges and potential solutions for New Zealand's energy sector. Important time stamps:(01:14) Electricity Market and Oligopoly: Discussion on New Zealand's electricity market being a state-protected oligopoly and explanation of the government's shareholding in major energy companies.(02:41) High Energy Prices: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's acknowledgment of high energy prices and the impact of high energy prices on manufacturing and employment.(06:00) Energy Generation and Supply Issues: The lack of investment in new energy generation, the historical context of energy market reforms and their impact.(21:00) Distributed Energy and Resilience: Benefits of distributed energy for community resilience and local energy generation.(23:37) Comparison with Grocery Sector: Parallels between the energy market and the grocery sector – the illusion of choice for consumers across both.(26:24) Peer-to-Peer Energy Networks: Nick’s experience with a peer-to-peer energy network and insights from the solar community project.(29:19) Future Changes and Innovations: Suggestions for changes in the energy sector, including breaking up ICPs and investing in new generation.The Adviser Talk is available on all popular streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Nick Stewart is a Financial Adviser and CEO at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance and KiwiSaver solutions.The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial products. You should seek financial advice specific to your circumstances from an Authorised Financial Adviser before making any financial decisions. A disclosure statement can be obtained free of charge by calling 0800 878 961 or visit our website, www.stewartgroup.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Rory Chats OCR Cuts and the Economic Crossroads

  Join Tim Ewen, risk insurance manager, and Rory O'Neill, Financial Adviser, Director and General Manager of Stewart Group, as they delve into the pressing issue of the Reserve Bank's recent OCR cut and its implications for financial planning in New Zealand.In this episode, Tim and Rory share their insights on how the OCR cut is impacting interest rates, the importance of diversifying investments, and the challenges faced by young Kiwis in the current economic climate.The conversation covers the reasons behind the OCR cut, its contribution to national inflation, and the broader economic implications. Tim and Rory also explore the significance of setting long-term financial goals, the need for an emergency fund, and the benefits of consulting a financial advisor.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how the Reserve Bank's decisions affect your finances and what you can do to navigate your financial journey responsibly.Read the full 'Navigating New Zealand’s Economic Crossroads' article HERETime Stamps:Introduction and Overview00:00:59 - Introduction and overview of the podcast episodeOCR Cut and Interest Rates00:01:22 - Discussion on the ongoing downward trajectory in the official cash rate (OCR) and its impact on struggling Kiwis00:01:57 - The obsession with interest rates and their impact on mortgages, term deposits, and property investmentsInvestment Strategies and Diversification00:03:17 - Questioning past investment strategies in property and their relevance today00:03:44 - The dangers of relying solely on property for wealth generation and the importance of diversificationUnemployment and Economic Challenges00:07:13 - Addressing the rising unemployment rate and its implications00:07:39 - The impact of rising unemployment on businesses and the economyChallenges for Young Kiwis00:08:44 - Challenges young Kiwis face in home ownership and their tendency to leave the country00:09:20 - The lack of opportunities for young people in New Zealand and their decision to move overseasFinancial Planning Advice00:12:15 - Financial planning advice for different types of listenersThe Adviser Talk is available on all popular streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Rory O'Neill is a Financial Adviser as well as the Director and General Manager at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial products. You should seek financial advice specific to your circumstances from an Authorised Financial Adviser before making any financial decisions. A disclosure statement can be obtained free of charge by calling 0800 878 961 or visit our website, www.stewartgroup.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  17:26

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• Nick Chats the Rates Crisis

  Rate increases, or daylight robbery?Join Nick Stewart, CEO and financial advisor at Stewart Group, and Tim Ewen, risk insurance manager, as they delve into the pressing issue of local authority rates in New Zealand. In this episode, Nick shares insights on the rates crisis, discussing the financial challenges faced by local councils and their impact on residents.The conversation covers the reasons behind rising council rates, their contribution to national inflation, and the broader economic implications. Nick and Tim also explore the accountability of councils, the need for fiscal prudence, and the importance of voter engagement in local elections.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how local government decisions affect your finances and what you can do to advocate for responsible spending.Read the full 'Rates Crisis' article HERE Important Time Stamps:00:01:01 - Introduction00:01:37 - Nick shares insights from his latest article about the rates crisis00:03:26 - Explanation of local authority rates and their importance00:05:34 - Discussion on council rates as a major contributor to national inflation00:07:51 - The impact of rising council rates on residents00:12:44 - Comparison of council accountability to business accountability00:14:06 - Perceived arrogance and unaccountability of councils00:17:46 - Questions voters should ask their mayoral candidates00:23:34 - Final message to voters and the importance of asking difficult questionsThe Adviser Talk is available on all popular streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Nick Stewart is a Financial Adviser and CEO at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial products. You should seek financial advice specific to your circumstances from an Authorised Financial Adviser before making any financial decisions. A disclosure statement can be obtained free of charge by calling 0800 878 961 or visit our website, www.stewartgroup.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  29:06

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  29:06
• Brent Chats the Illusion of Time

  You can't bank time for later - you've got to use it today.That's the key message from our latest podcast, where Brent Allcock, our Financial Adviser from the Wellington office, discusses why procrastination can negatively impact your financial security. With Kiwis feeling the pressure from rising costs, he provides practical tips to take control of your finances.When it comes to managing your money, taking action today is far better than waiting until tomorrow. Don’t let procrastination erode your financial well-being.⏰ Important time-stamps(01:09) Do we really have time when it comes to finances?(01:29) Reflections on time, money and the importance of acting now(02:36) Budgeting tips and lifestyle adjustments(05:12) The need for planning(06:51) Mindset shift(09:02) Rising living costs and planning for retirement(12:44) Are people reconsidering investing during uncertain times?(14:33) Kiwisaver performance and diversified portfolios(16:35) Brent’s top tipThe Adviser Talk is available on all popular streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Brent Allcock is a Financial Adviser at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial products. You should seek financial advice specific to your circumstances from an Authorised Financial Adviser before making any financial decisions. A disclosure statement can be obtained free of charge by calling 0800 878 961 or visit our website, www.stewartgroup.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  18:04

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• Rory Chats Vehicles and Investments Portfolios

  Just like modern cars come equipped with essential safety features, your investment portfolio should be built with protection in mind.In this episode, our General Manager and Financial Adviser, Rory O’Neill, joins host Tim Ewen, our Risk Insurance Manager and avid car enthusiast, to explore how the safety systems in today’s vehicles mirror the protective strategies found in smart investment portfolios.Think about it: you wouldn’t put your family in an unsafe vehicle, so why risk your financial future with an unprotected investment strategy?If you would like to read the article by Nick Stewart, our CEO and Financial Adviser, here is the link: https://www.stewartgroup.co.nz/we-love-to-write/modern-protection-in-vehicles-and-investments⏰ Important time-stamps(02:14) Introduction(2:31) Car safety vs. investment portfolios(5:43) The role of Financial Advisers(6:53) Early warning systems in vehicles and investment portfolios(10:30) Quality and protection go hand-in-hand(12:14) Trust the experts(14:06) Behind the scenes: Portfolio Protection(15:31) Fee transparency and custodial services(17:18) Adaptive cruise control vs. portfolio management(18:38) Accident alerts vs. limit break reports(19:40) Rory's car choice(20:41) Key message from Rory on portfolio managementThe Adviser Talk is available on all popular streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Rory O'Neill is a Financial Adviser as well as the Director and General Manager at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay and Wellington-based CEFEX-certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this show, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial products. You should seek financial advice specific to your circumstances from an Authorised Financial Adviser before making any financial decisions. A disclosure statement can be obtained free of charge by calling 0800 878 961 or visit our website, www.stewartgroup.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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